Council
19 January, 2024
MrArthur slams road minister's response
MINISTER for Road and Road Safety, Melissa Home, has dismissed a call for action at a dangerous Gnotuk intersection after several serious road incidents occurred last year.
The intersection rests on a low-visibility bend, and the 100-kilometre-per-hour speed limit causes life-threatening and risky merging.
Locals have witnessed daily near misses and several accidents; some have even sustained injuries.
As the Camperdown Chronicle, reported Gnotuk’s Steve Kinnersly was injured with four splinter fractures in his right foot after a collision at the intersection in September.
Member for Western Victoria and Shadow Parliamentary secretary for Road and Road Safety Bev McArthur requested the Minister immediately assess the safety of the intersection of the Princes Highway and Darlington-Camperdown Road and called for a better solution.
“Corangamite Shire councillor Ruth Gstrein and I met with several locals at the intersection in November, and it is clear more needs to be done to ensure the safety of drivers and Gnotuk residents,” she said.
Mrs McArthur suggested an immediate solution would be to introduce side-road-activated variable speed signs which can detect traffic and temporarily lower speeds as cars approach.
In response, the minister said the stretch had already been improved.
“Road crash information records show there has been one crash at this intersection in the 5-year period to December 31, 2022,” Ms Horne said.
“In 2018, road safety improvements were completed at the intersection of the Princes Highway, Darlington – Camperdown Road and Gnotuk Lane.
“These works provided a right turn lane for vehicles to safely turn right into Gnotuk Lane from the highway and included the sealing of the entrance to Gnotuk Lane to make entry and exit easier for residents.
“DTP (Department of Transport and Planning) advises it is monitoring the operation of this intersection.”
Mrs McArthur slammed the minister’s response as out-of-date and irresponsible.
“How can the minister rely on the sufficiency of road safety improvements made six years ago when there are accidents and injuries happening now?” she said.
“Relying on a five-year average statistic when Victorians were in countless lockdowns skews the data and negligently dismisses the injuries sustained and accidents occurred in 2023.
“I’d be pleased to hear from anyone who has been involved in an accident or witnessed one at this location.
“I cannot believe there has only been one accident in five years.”
Ms McArthur said she wonders if the government is waiting for the intersection to become a “deadly” one.
“It is totally unsafe for everybody, and the government have got to do something about this before a fatal accident occurs,” she said.